My other was to take a few hours to have a drink with three members
of the Sofia legal community who were particularly welcoming and helpful –
Judge Dechev, Judge Georgiev, and Prof. Marinova. We had a lovely chat and I look forward to
keeping in touch with each of them. I am
already trying to think of ways to arrange a visit to Iowa for them.
On Thursday afternoon, things changed abruptly. I reached a significant goal I’d set for my
writing, and about two hours later my new flatmate Grace arrived in Sofia. I went from the fairly predictable routine
I’d maintained for the better part of three weeks to the realization that I
would be leaving within days. I was able
to do a bit of cleaning and organizing in the short time before welcoming
Grace, a Fulbright scholar from Arizona is teaching at Sofia University this
spring and will take my apartment. That
evening Grace and I went for a walk around the neighborhood and had a nice
dinner at 33 Stola, the Italian restaurant near the apartment.
Friday morning we had a meeting to get the lease transfer
sorted, and then paid a visit (my last) to our favorite café. In the evening we hosted our neighbors and a
few of my friends for a farewell/welcome gathering. A very good time was had by all, and it was
nice to share a last bit of time with some of the people who have made Sofia
such a memorable place.
Saturday was spent packing, interspersed with a trip to the
university, brief visits with some neighbors, and dinner at Troika. Things were fairly well organized, and I
found myself strangely organized on Sunday morning for my departure. Just before noon I took a taxi to Sofia Airport
to begin the journey home.
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